Curfew relaxed for 7 hours in Leh
Kargil, Sep 30: Life limped back to normal in the Leh district of Ladakh on Tuesday, as the administration ordered a 7-hour relaxation in curfew from 10 am to 5 pm to allow people to purchase essentials, including food and vegetables. However, the personnel of the Ladakh Police, CRPF, and ITBP have been deployed in large numbers in several areas, including the main town of Leh, to maintain law and order.
Officials said that the situation remained peaceful and no untoward incident was reported throughout the day.
The officials said mobile internet services continued to be suspended in Leh town, and prohibitory orders banning assembly of five or more persons were still in force in other major parts of Ladakh, including Kargil.
On Tuesday, the Leh administration announced a 4-hour curfew relaxation, which was later extended till 5 pm, allowing markets to gradually reopen and providing relief to the people who were reeling under week-long curbs.
As per an official order by the district Leh administration, all the markets and shops within Leh district would be open from 10 am till 6 pm on Wednesday.
“In continuation of this office order dated September 29, 2025, it is hereby ordered that all market shops within Leh district will remain open on October 1, 2025, from 10 am to 6 pm,” reads the order.
However, as per another official order issued by the district administration of Leh, all educational institutions would remain closed in Leh till October 1.
“In continuation of this office order dated September 29, 2025, it is hereby ordered that all government and private schools, Anganwadi centres, colleges, coaching centres, and other educational institutions within Leh district will remain closed on October 1, 2025,” the order said. Lieutenant Governor Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, has been chairing high-level security review meetings almost on a daily basis since the protests broke out in Leh.
On Tuesday, the LG of Ladakh chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the prevailing law and order situation in Ladakh.
The LG inquired about the condition of security personnel injured during the September 24 violence.
He was informed that 105 security personnel, including 57 CRPF personnel and over 48 Police personnel, sustained injuries while performing their duty at various locations.
LG Ladakh assured that the injured personnel would receive the best possible medical treatment and directed the administration to extend full support to their families.
He expressed deep appreciation for the courage and dedication displayed by the security forces in maintaining law and order under challenging circumstances.
The LG Ladakh directed the senior Police officials to identify and take strict action against the miscreants responsible for disturbing peace. “No one involved in acts of violence will be spared. Law will take its firm course, and those trying to disrupt communal harmony will face stringent action,” he said.
Commending the people of Ladakh, the LG of Ladakh said the region had always been known for its peaceful coexistence, brotherhood, and rich cultural traditions.
He lauded the maturity and restraint displayed by the citizens of Leh in ensuring that normalcy is swiftly restored.
“The Union Territory Administration is committed to safeguarding the interests of every citizen. Peace, stability, and communal harmony are our foremost priorities, and every possible step is being taken to uphold them,” LG Ladakh said.
He said that the administration would continue to strengthen its outreach efforts, enhance community engagement, and ensure that grievances are addressed promptly.
“The government belongs to the people, and together we will ensure that Ladakh continues to shine as a beacon of peace, progress, and harmony,” the LG of Ladakh said. “The well-being and security of every citizen is our foremost priority. The administration is fully committed to ensuring peace, harmony, and inclusive development across Ladakh. I urge all sections of society to continue upholding the region’s rich tradition of brotherhood and unity. Together, with mutual trust and cooperation, we will build a peaceful and prosperous Ladakh where the aspirations of every individual are respected and fulfilled.”
The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Ladkah Pawan Kotwal, Director General of Police Ladakh S D Singh Jamwal, senior officers of the Army, CRPF, and district administration.
Earlier, the officials briefed the LG on the latest developments, security preparedness, and inter-agency coordination to ensure peace and order in the region. The curfew was imposed in Leh town on September 24 evening following violent protests during a shutdown called by a constituent of the Apex Body Leh (ABL), to advance talks with the Centre on the demands for statehood and extension of the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs on Tuesday ordered a complete suspension of mobile internet and public Wi-Fi services in Ladakh’s Leh district from September 29 evening till October 3, citing public safety and security concerns.
According to an official order issued by the MHA through Joint Secretary (Cyber and Information Security), mobile data services, including 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G, as well as public Wi-Fi networks, have been shut down from 6 pm on September 29 to 6 pm on October 3. The suspension has been enforced under provisions of the Telecommunication Act, 2023, and Telecommunications (Temporary Suspension of Services) Rules, 2024, stating that due to “unavoidable circumstances,” immediate action was necessary to “avert public emergency and prevent incitement of offences.”
The order received approval from the competent authority and would remain in force across the entire jurisdiction of Leh district.
